Chapter Text
Robert stretched, feeling the satisfying pop of his spine as he arched back in his chair. The orange glow of sunset leaked through the office blinds, casting warm stripes across his desk. He glanced at his computer screen—quarter past seven—and carefully lifted a sleeping Beef from his lap. The little dog grumbled in protest, tiny paws twitching as Robert cradled him against his chest.
"Still here?"
Robert looked up to find Mandy leaning against his cubicle entrance, her brown hair loose around her shoulders instead of beneath the blonde color her amulet conjured. It was good seeing her like this more often—Mandy instead of Blazer—a quiet confidence growing in her natural form that hadn't been there before.
"Just wrapping up," Robert said, scratching behind Beef's ears. "Someone decided my keyboard made the perfect pillow."
Mandy stepped closer, her fingers joining his to stroke the dog's soft fur. "You know, just because I offer overtime doesn't mean you have to take it," she teased, her voice warm with something that made Robert's chest tighten pleasantly.
"Says the woman who's also still here at seven on a Friday." Robert raised an eyebrow, noticing how the sunset painted golden highlights across her cheekbones. "Pot, kettle."
"Touché." Mandy's laugh was soft, warming even. Her fingertips brushed against his as they both petted Beef, the casual contact sending a small jolt through Robert's arm. "But I have a good reason."
"Let me guess. Paperwork emergency? Villain sighting? Flambae set the break room microwave on fire again?"
"Actually..." Mandy's smile widened, her eyes brightening. "I got a call from the hospital. Visi's fully healed up. They're releasing her tonight."
Robert felt something in his chest loosen—a knot of worry he hadn't fully acknowledged. "About damn time. She's been climbing the walls for days."
"Literally," Mandy added. "The nurses found her hanging from the ceiling tiles yesterday. Said she was 'testing her recovery.'"
"Of course she was." Robert shook his head, but couldn't suppress his smile. "They probably can't wait to get rid of her."
"The head nurse may have used the phrase 'worst patient in thirty years of medicine.'" Mandy's fingers lingered on Robert's hand a moment longer than necessary. "I thought maybe we could pick her up? Save her the cab fare?"
Robert caught the subtle emphasis on "we" and the slight flush creeping up Mandy's neck. "Sure," he said, trying to sound casual despite the warmth spreading through his chest. "Just let me grab my jacket."
Beef chose that moment to wake up, yawning widely before noticing Mandy and wiggling with excitement in Robert's arms. His little tail thumped against Robert's chest.
"Someone's happy to see you," Robert observed, passing the squirming dog to Mandy.
"The feeling's mutual." Mandy nuzzled Beef's head, receiving enthusiastic licks in return. "Who's a good boy? Is it you? I think it is!"
Robert watched them, something tugging at the corner of his mouth. Mandy caught him staring and blushed slightly. "What?"
"Nothing," he said, reaching for his jacket. "Just thinking about how much he's going to lose his mind when he sees Visi."
"Oh god, we'll never hear the end of it." Mandy laughed, shifting Beef to her hip like a baby. "She'll claim he missed her more than either of us."
"Didn't you know? She's convinced he's her dog who just happens to live with me."
They walked to the elevator together, Beef contentedly snuggled in Mandy's arms.
In the parking lot, they headed toward Chase's sedan. As they approached, Robert spotted a familiar figure leaning against the hood.
"Chase!" Mandy called out, waving her free arm.
The old man straightened up, his weathered face breaking into a grin that knocked years off his appearance. Around his neck hung Mandy's amulet, its red gem glowing softly in the dim garage lighting. With it, Chase stood taller, his usual arthritic movements replaced by fluid grace.
"About fucking time," Chase called back, his voice stronger than ever. "Been waiting so long I was considering just bolting home with my sweet ride."
Chase pushed himself off the hood, moving with the easy confidence of a much younger man. The amulet's power suited him, temporarily reversing the physical toll his speedster days had taken on his body.
Beef spotted Chase and went ballistic, squirming in Mandy's arms and barking excitedly. Mandy set him down, and he bolted toward Chase, little legs pumping frantically.
"There's my main man!" Chase dropped to one knee, arms outstretched as Beef launched himself at him. "Missed you too, buddy. Yes, I did. Yes, I did." Chase's tough-guy persona melted away as he buried his face in Beef's fur, receiving enthusiastic face licks in return.
Robert watched the reunion with a half-smile. "The amulet's working out, then?"
Chase stood, Beef cradled in his arms. "Like a fucking charm. Went for a five hundred-mile run this morning. Five hundred miles! Haven't done that in years." He patted the glowing jewel. "Best thing you've ever loaned me, Blazer."
Mandy smiled, before checking her watch. "We should get going. Hospital visiting hours end at eight."
"Visi's getting out?" Chase perked up, fishing in his pockets as he handed over his car keys. "About time. Place probably can't wait to be rid of her."
"That's what I said," Robert agreed.
"Hand this little guy over, then." Chase held out his hands for Beef's leash. "Me and the furball have plans tonight."
Robert hesitated. "You sure? He can be a handful."
"Please." Chase scoffed. "We're gonna have a guys' night. Beer, steaks, action movies with explosions." He lowered his voice to a stage whisper. "And I smuggled in some of those fancy dog treats he likes. The ones that make his farts smell like chemical warfare."
"That's... considerate," Robert said dryly, handing over the leash. "Just don't let him on the couch. He's been digging in the park again."
"No promises." Chase tucked Beef more securely under one arm. "You kids have fun. Tell her she owes me a rematch at darts. Last time was bullshit—she definitely cheated."
"She absolutely cheated," Mandy confirmed, unlocking her car.
"Knew it!" Chase exclaimed, already walking backward toward his own car. "See you losers tomorrow. Come on, Beef, let's go score some babes at the dog park."
Robert watched them go, Chase's posture straighter than he'd seen in years, Beef's tail wagging furiously. "I'm going to regret this, aren't I?"
"Probably," Mandy agreed cheerfully, sliding into the driver's seat. "But it makes them both happy."
Robert got in beside her, the familiar scent of Mandy's vanilla perfume filling the small space. "So," he said as she started the engine, "hospital trip to pick up our most troublesome colleague. Just how I planned to spend my Friday night."
Mandy glanced at him, a smile playing at her lips. "Disappointed?"
Robert found himself returning her smile. "Not at all."
As Mandy pulled out of the parking area, Robert noticed her knuckles were white on the steering wheel. "Everything okay?" he asked.
"Yeah, it's just..." She hesitated, stopping at a red light. "It'd be good to have her back."
Robert understood the weight behind those words. After everything that had happened, things were finally settling into place.
"Yeah," he agreed softly. "It would."
The city lights blurred past the car windows as they drove, the usual chaotic energy of downtown settling into something almost peaceful. Robert watched the streetlights cast rhythmic patterns across the dashboard, each yellow glow illuminating Mandy's profile for a heartbeat before fading. Friday night traffic had thinned to a manageable stream, no blaring horns or frustrated drivers cutting each other off.
"No explosions, no bank robberies, no giant robots," Mandy observed, her voice soft in the quiet car. "Almost feels wrong, doesn't it?"
"Don't jinx it," Robert warned, but there was no edge to his words. His phone hadn't buzzed with emergency alerts in hours—a rare gift he wasn't taking for granted.
Mandy turned into the hospital parking lot, the tires crunching over scattered gravel. The massive building loomed ahead, windows checkerboarded with light and darkness. She found a spot near the entrance without circling even once—another small miracle.
"Ready?" she asked, killing the engine.
Robert nodded, something like anticipation fluttering in his chest. He'd visited Invisigal during her recovery, of course, but always briefly, always surrounded by medical staff. This was different. This was bringing her home.
The hospital's automatic doors whooshed open, releasing a blast of antiseptic-scented air conditioning. Robert's shoes squeaked against the polished linoleum as they approached the reception desk, where a tired-looking woman with tight gray curls barely glanced up from her computer.
"We're here for Courtney, Invisigal" Mandy said, her voice warm but authoritative. "She's being discharged tonight."
The receptionist's fingers clacked against her keyboard. "Fifth floor, room 532. They're finalizing her paperwork now."
As they waited for the elevator, Robert fidgeted with his jacket zipper. "Think she'll actually follow the doctor's orders this time?"
Mandy snorted. "What do you think?"
"I think we're in for a world of trouble."
The elevator dinged, and they stepped inside. Robert caught a glimpse of their reflection in the mirrored wall—Mandy standing close enough that their shoulders almost touched, both of them looking slightly anxious, slightly eager.
The fifth floor was quieter than the lobby, the overhead lights dimmed for evening hours. They followed the numbered signs until the sound of a familiar voice—loud, insistent, and thoroughly annoyed—reached them from around the corner.
"—literally climbed a building yesterday, doc. A building! Pretty sure I can handle walking to a car without your precious wheelchair policy."
Robert and Mandy exchanged knowing glances as they rounded the corner to find Invisigal standing defiantly before a harried-looking doctor. She wore black leggings and an oversized hospital sweatshirt that slipped off one shoulder, her dark hair pulled into a messy ponytail. A duffel bag sat at her feet, and she had one hand on her hip while the other jabbed a finger toward the doctor's clipboard.
"Hospital policy clearly states—" the doctor began, his tone suggesting this wasn't their first round of this particular argument.
"Hospital policy can kiss my—" Invisigal froze mid-sentence as she spotted them, her expression cycling rapidly from frustration to surprise to something softer, more vulnerable, before settling into a wide grin that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Well, look what the cat dragged in! My knights in business casual armor."
The doctor seized the opportunity to retreat, muttering something about discharge papers as he scurried toward the nurses' station.
Invisigal bent to grab her bag, wincing slightly before covering it with a casual shrug. "Please tell me you brought real food. If I see one more cup of lime Jell-O, I might actually commit a felony."
"No Jell-O," Robert confirmed, stepping forward to take her bag despite her protests. "But we did bring a getaway car."
"My heroes," she drawled, but there was an undercurrent of sincerity that made Robert's chest tighten. She looked smaller somehow, despite the swagger she was clearly forcing. The bruises on her arms had faded to yellowish smudges, but the one across her jawline still bloomed purple against her pale skin.
Mandy moved closer, her hand hovering near Invisigal's elbow without quite touching. "How are you feeling? Really?"
Invisigal's smile faltered for just a moment. "Right as rain. Fit as a fiddle. Ready to—"
"Cut the bullshit, Visi," Robert said quietly.
She blinked, then deflated slightly, her shoulders dropping. "I'm... okay. Sore. Tired of being poked and prodded. Ready to sleep in a real bed instead of this torture device they call a mattress." She glanced between them, something uncertain flickering across her face. "Thanks for... you know. Coming to get me."
"Of course we came," Mandy said, finally letting her hand rest gently on Invisigal's arm. "We wouldn't be anywhere else."
Something complicated passed across Invisigal's features—gratitude, disbelief, and a flash of what might have been guilt. But it disappeared as quickly as it came, replaced by her trademark smirk.
"Well, duh. Who else would put up with my charming personality?" She straightened, rolling her shoulders back. "Now, can we please blow this popsicle stand before Dr. Buzzkill comes back with his wheelchair crusade?"
A nurse approached with a clipboard and final instructions that Invisigal clearly wasn't listening to, her attention fixed on the exit signs with the focus of a prisoner eyeing an escape route. Robert signed where indicated, accepting a packet of aftercare instructions he was certain would be ignored.
As they walked toward the elevators, Invisigal's gait was slightly stiff, though she was clearly trying to hide it. Robert slowed his pace without making it obvious, matching her steps.
"Chase says you owe him a rematch at darts," he said conversationally. "Claims you cheated last time."
"I absolutely cheated," she confirmed with a grin that looked more genuine. "Man can't aim for shit anymore. It was a mercy cheat."
The receptionist shot them an irritated look as they passed, pointedly tapping her watch to indicate visiting hours were ending. Invisigal responded with an exaggerated salute that made Mandy stifle a laugh.
In the parking lot, the night air hit them with a refreshing coolness after the hospital's stale atmosphere. Invisigal took a deep breath, tilting her face up to the sky for a moment with closed eyes.
"God, that feels good," she murmured. "Real air."
Robert watched her, something warm and protective unfurling in his chest. She looked both stronger and more fragile than he remembered, the streetlights casting her in gold and shadow.
At the car, she immediately claimed the front passenger seat, sliding in before Robert could even offer.
"Age before beauty, old man," she teased, sticking her tongue out at him as he resigned himself to the back seat. "Besides, my legs are longer than yours."
"That is demonstrably false," Robert replied, folding himself into the back with as much dignity as he could muster.
"Yeah, but I'm injured, so I win by default." She twisted in her seat to face him, her expression suddenly serious. "How's Beef? Is he okay? Did he miss me? Did you tell him where I was?"
The rapid-fire questions had a desperate edge that caught Robert off guard. Before he could answer, Mandy slid into the driver's seat.
"Beef is having a guys' night with Chase," she explained, starting the car. "And yes, he's been moping around the break room all week. Keeps looking for you around the office."
Invisigal's face softened. "Really?"
"Really," Robert confirmed. "Even brought one of your pens to my desk. The sparkly one."
She smiled, a real one this time that crinkled the corners of her eyes. "Smart dog. Knows quality writing instruments when he sees them." She settled back in her seat, wincing slightly as she adjusted her position. "So, where to? Please say somewhere with actual food. I'm starving."
Mandy caught Robert's eye in the rearview mirror, a silent question passing between them. He gave a small nod.
"Actually," Mandy said, pulling out of the parking space, "we thought maybe you'd like to come back to Robert's place. I brought over some groceries earlier. Thought we could make dinner, watch a movie... something low-key."
Invisigal went very still, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her sweatshirt. "Both of you? At Robert's?"
"If you're up for it," Robert added quickly. "If you'd rather go home and rest—"
"No!" The word burst out of her with surprising force. She cleared her throat, attempting nonchalance. "I mean, that sounds... nice. Really nice." She turned to look out the window, but not before Robert caught the slight tremble in her lower lip. "As long as I'm not imposing or whatever."
"You're always imposing," Robert said dryly. "That's your whole personality."
She snorted, relaxing visibly at the familiar banter. "You love it."
"I tolerate it," he corrected, but there was no bite to his words.
As Mandy navigated them through the city streets, Robert noticed Invisigal's reflection in the passenger window—her eyes slightly too bright, her fingers still worrying at her sweatshirt hem. She caught him watching and quickly shifted, putting on a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"So," she said with forced lightness, "what culinary delights await at Château Robert? Let me guess—frozen pizza and beer?"
"Actually," Mandy replied, "I was thinking pasta carbonara. I heard you liked it."
Invisigal's expression flickered with genuine surprise. "You remembered that?"
"Of course we did," Robert said quietly.
Invisigal swallowed hard, looking between them with an expression Robert couldn't quite decipher—something raw and vulnerable that made his chest ache. "Well," she finally said, her voice slightly rougher than before, "in that case, step on it, Blazer. Mama's hungry."
As Mandy accelerated, Invisigal reached out to turn on the radio, her fingers hovering over the dial for a moment before she glanced back at Robert.
"Any preferences, boss man?"
The question was casual, but there was something in her eyes—a seeking, an uncertainty—that made Robert understand she wasn't just asking about music.
"Your pick," he said softly. "Tonight's all about what you want."